Super Eco

Photo credit: NatalieMaynor, flickr

The 100-Mile Diet was conceived by Alisa Smith and J.B. MacKinnon, who in 2005 embarked on a one-year experiment of eating only foods that had been grown within 100 miles of their home in Vancouver, Canada. It's been hailed by locavores and has been called “the new organic." The diet involves locating local food sources like farmers' markets, CSAs, and farms.

Benefits of the diet include getting to know the seasons and what foods are truly available when, understanding the food production system, and eating foods that are truly fresh and made wholly from whole ingredients. In addition, by dealing directly with farmers it is possible to buy in bulk and save money (plus overall, non-processed foods tend to cost less than processed foods do). Health benefits of eating local foods in season are also claimed.

Difficulties with the diet include those relating to finding adequate sources of a variety of foods, and being limited to eating foods only in season or preserved at home. Some foods may simply be impossible to find within a particular region. Time may also be an issue, as preparing whole foods can be more time-consuming especially for those used to relying on the convenience of prepared foods.

Proponents claim that the 100-Mile Diet can help support local economies, help form and sustain community, and consume far less oil and gas than a non-local diet.

Smith and MacKinnon wrote a book about their experiences in their one-year trial, and also maintained a blog.